George Willig

Daredevil / Climber

Born: 11 June 1949

Birthplace: New York

Best known as:

The guy who climbed the World Trade Center in 1977

George Willig was a 27 year-old toymaker from Queens when he climbed solo up the side of the south building of the World Trade Center (WTC 2), on the morning of 26 May 1977. Using special tools and accompanied on the ground by his brother Steve, Jery Hewitt and photographer Michael Cardacino, Willig began his illegal ascent around 6:30 on a Thursday morning. Near the 55th or 66th floor (reports vary), he was approached by police on scaffolding, but they allowed him to proceed to the top on his own. When he reached the 110th floor around 10:00 a.m., he was arrested and charged with trespassing. The Port Authority announced they would sue him, but it became clear that Willig, dubbed the "Human Fly" by the Daily News, had achieved national attention as a New York folk hero. A settlement was reached for public relations purposes, and Willig was fined one penny for each floor of the tower he climbed, a total of $1.10. By all accounts shy of the limelight, he nonetheless made the rounds on TV shows and in magazines, but left it all behind after a couple of years -- for life in California in the construction business.

Extra credit:

George Willig signed his name on a chunk of metal at the top observation deck, and it remained visible until the building was destroyed on 11 September 2001.